About the Gay & Lesbian Downtown Fort Lauderdale Neighborhood, Mark's List

About the Gay & Lesbian Downtown Fort Lauderdale Neighborhood, Mark's List in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Author:

Mark

Curator:

The Mark's List Gang

Swich to other Fort Lauderdale neighborhood guides:
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Gateway and Victoria Park
Wilton Manors

Prior to the Wilton Manors Neighborhood becoming the center of Fort Lauderdale's Gay and Lesbian scene, downtown Fort Lauderdale ruled. The areas around Las Olas Boulevard, Victoria Park and the New River were home to world famous bars like Cathode Ray, China White and Living Room. Although the area has lost most of its bars (Johnny's remains), downtown Fort Lauderdale is still home to first class entertainment at places like the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Art, Riverwalk and the ever present shops, galleries and restaurants along Las Olas Boulevard.

Broward County is home to over 4,100 restaurants and over 120 nightclubs (1/3 of them are Gay or Lesbian oriented). Nearby Fort Lauderdale Beach has recently seen a surge in the building of mega hotels that cater to the high end visitor. In the past few years, Ritz Carlton, Hilton, Westin, The Atlantic and the now famous W Hotel Fort Lauderdale with it's voyeur's dream glass walled pool have stolen the limelight from Fort Lauderdale's long established Gay Guesthouse culture. The Guesthouses, including the Coconut Cove, Villa Venice, The Elysium Resort and the The Grand Resort and Spa nonetheless carry on and are full to capacity virtually every weekend. In many cases, the Guesthouses offer the same world class service as their high end competition, at a lower price and in a frisky atmosphere that appeals to many a Gay traveler. Also within a short distance of Wilton Manors and within a stones throw of most of the Gay guesthouses is the popular Gay Beach at Sebastian Street and you will find another popular LGBT destination at Gateway, about half way between Wilton Manors and the beach.

Swich to other Fort Lauderdale neighborhood guides:
Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Gateway and Victoria Park

GLLN (Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network) 2018 Gala The 2018 GLLN (Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network) hosted their annual gala at the Josephine S. Leiser Opera House in downtown Fort Lauderdale, which benefited The Stonewall National Museum & Archives. GLLN (Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network) 2018 Gala	The 2017 Equality Rally for Unity & Pride and Pulse Remembrance Broward County community leaders hosted the Equality Rally for Unity & Pride and Pulse Remembrance at Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The day featured speaches from key leaders, including Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Alcee Hastings, spiritual leaders, commissioners, and various non-profit agencies. The 2017 Equality Rally for Unity & Pride and Pulse Remembrance
GLLN Networking Luncheon at Timpano The GLLN (Gay Lesbian Lawyer Network) hosted their monthly networking luncheon at Timpano Italian Chophouse on Las Olas in downtown Fort Lauderdale, which included a check dispersal from their annual galla and a lecture on mediation techniques and tips. GLLN Networking Luncheon at Timpano	Modern Day Cuba in Havana, Cuba The borders to Cuba have recently been opened to tourists and here is a sneak peak at Modern Day Cuba in Havana, Cuba. Modern Day Cuba in Havana, Cuba
2016 Atlantis Gay Cruise The Atlantis Gay Cruise left from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and went around the Caribbean with thousands of gays ready to let loose on the open seas. The cruise featured special performances from Deborah Cox, Miss Ridgefield 1980, and RuPaul's Drag Race Star Bianca Del Rio. 2016 Atlantis Gay Cruise	Florida Youth Coalition 2016 Icon Awards Gala The Florida Youth Coalition hosted their 2016 Icon Awards Gala at The Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. The event highlighted the organization and awarded nine people for their hard work and accomplishments within the LGBT community. Florida Youth Coalition 2016 Icon Awards Gala
Our Fund Party at Northern Trust Our Fund provides links from philanthropic donors to appropriate LGBT charities in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area. They recently hosted a party at Northern Trust on Las Olas Blvd. honoring their Legacy Society and delivering a lecture from FIU on rising tide waters. Our Fund Party at Northern Trust	2016 Las Olas Art Festival The Las Olas Arts Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL features art and artists of Florida being showcased along Las Olas Boulevard. 2016 Las Olas Art Festival
2013 FLIFF Opening Night The 28th Annual FLIFF (Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival) held its Grand Opening at Cinema Paradiso in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Attending the premier of "Free Ride" was actor/producer Stephen Moyer, Director Shana Betz, as well as Lea Thompson and John Shea, and a host of other film festival actors, writers, and directors. View FLIFF photos	MDE Martinis and Meatballs Party at Anthony's Runway 84 MDE (Minority Development & Empowerment Inc.) sponsors charity events around Fort Lauderdale, FL. They recently held a Martinis and Meatballs fund raiser at Anthony's Runway 84 that brought awareness to their cause. View MDE event photos

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Olympic Standout Adam Rippon Talks Finding His Gay Power

Adam Rippon’s mere existence as a brazenly gay global inspiration with a tongue as sharp as the blades on his skates is notable. Writer Peter Moskowitz recently celebrated Rippon in a piece for Splinter titled “The Faggy Magic of Adam Rippon.” And at a Stars on Ice show in Detroit, Michigan, in April, Rippon garnered by far the most enthusiastic response, winning applause from tween girls, a squadron of proud queers, and suburban moms, alike. Reese Witherspoon loves him. So does Elmo. And like any good mother, Sally Field tried to set him up with her gay son. Read the full interview: Adam Rippon Talks Finding His Gay Power, Fetish-Inspired Costumes

10 Essential Money Tips for New LGBT Grads

Stash, the beginner investment app, asked grads like you what they plan to do with their graduation money, and the results are comforting. The largest percentage, 23.8% of those polled, plan to put the haul directly into savings, while 21% will pay rent or other expenses. An impressive 19.2% plan to invest their grad cash, and a near equal number, 18.7%, said they’ll pay down student loans with the money. That’s a great start. But there’s plenty more to learn about savvy spending and saving, now that you’re out in the real world. Here are 10 essential tips to help you hit the ground running.

Five Ways to Save Your Rocky Relationship

When the going gets tough in your relationship, you can take the easy way out (and you should if you don’t love your partner anymore), but there can be plenty of upside in sticking the hard times out and trying to make it work. How you do that is up to you — there is no right or wrong way — but these five tips on putting the pieces of a shattered partnership back together again are a great place to start.

Five Pro Tips For a Relaxing Home-Swap Getaway

One of the best ways to have a memorable vacation — and save a ton of cash on lodging — is a home swap. Of course, opening your home — and leaving strangers unattended — can be worrisome. Will they set the place on fire, steal your stuff, stumble upon your sex toys? All of it could happen. So, in order to reduce your risk and squelch those fears, consider these handy tips meant to ensure a smooth swap.

Designer Andrew Christian Talks Sex, Power and Freedom

Highlighting a plethora of rock-hard bodied Andrew Christian Trophy Boys in various stages of undress, including fan-favorites Arad, Cory and Topher, popular underwear designer Andrew Christian’s provocative, sexually-charged book of fantasy, innuendo and desire is making quite the statement. SEX = POWER = FREDOM isn’t just any adult picture display of naked men created with the sole purpose of getting you off—although it successfully delivers if that tickles your fancy. This controversial coffee table centerpiece, which boasts 200 glossy pages of in-your-face black and white images, culminates in an emotional representation of art, sex, diversity, personal expression and political freedom.

Andrew Christian, who has also made his rounds as a reality television star, spoke with Mark’s List about SEX = POWER = FREEDOM, his admiration for Madonna, the Trump administration and his upcoming book tour. Read the full interview: Designer Andrew Christian Talks Sex, Power and Freedom

MANCANDY: Bisexual Adult Film Star Talks Sexual Fluidity

Jaxton Wheeler is not only one of the sexiest (have you seen that hairy body and those legs? DAMN!), and hard working men in Adult Film, but it turns out he is also a nice guy! He has been in over 70 scenes and was nominated for most masculine at the Grabby’s and was awarded best group scene many times. In addition, he was voted AEBN #1 model for sales worldwide. He also trended earlier this summer as part of the “Right in Front of my Salad?” meme. Yep, that was Jaxton in the kitchen!

Check out an interview with Jaxton Wheeler as he prepares for a Labor Day Weekend appearance at the world famous Boardwalk in Fort Lauderdale.

Mark's Mancandy: Fitness Model Jose Lazaro

Fitness model Jose Lazaro, 19, is originally from Cuba and has lived in Miami for the last nine years. He describes himself as very optimistic, energetic and determined. Find out how this Latino hottie stays in such great shape and check out the sexy photos from his latest photo shoot (Photos Dale Stine).

Six Healthy Foods That Satisfy Every Urge

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Florida's Best Clothing Optional Gay Men's Resorts

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In Key West check out New Orleans House and Island House. New Orleans House is located on Duval Street, right in the middle of all of the action. You can count on a great time poolside or in Key West's biggest Gay nightclub, Bourbon Street Pub. Island House is located on a quieter side street and offers amazing rooms, many of them opening onto the pool and patio. There's also an amazing pool side cafe serving up some of the best food (and libations) on the Island. In Fort Lauderdale, we suggest you get your Gay clothing optional groove on at The Grand Resort and Spa, which offers an upscale atmosphere with amenities that include spa services, poolside cabana bars and plenty of tanning lotion to keep your booty from burning. In Central Florida you can head out into the woods and catch some all over rays at the Sawmill Camping Resort. Sawmill offers cabins and plenty of places to park RVs or pitch tents. There's also a large heated pool, a dance hall, restaurant, several themed bars and plenty of trails to go "hiking" on.

Adult Film Star Rocco Steele Tackles HIV Stigma

Although research and support for the HIV/AIDS community has come a long way since the 80s and 90s, a great deal of ignorance and stigma still exists—even within the gay community. With celebrities such as Charlie Sheen and Danny Pintauro (Who’s the Boss?) recently bringing HIV/AIDS into the entertainment headlines, perhaps now is the perfect time for a new, more enlightened conversation on the subject.

Mark’s List spoke with adult film star Rocco Steele, who has experienced his fair share of ups and downs with addiction and living with HIV. He has, however, used these personal experiences as a catalyst to promote HIV awareness and education. Read the full interview after the Jump: Adult Film Star Rocco Steele Tackles HIV Stigma

HOT LIST: Fort Lauderdale's Top 100 Restaurants

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Florida's Gay and Lesbian Beaches

We've given our Florida Gay Beaches Guide a makeover. Florida is surrounded by some of the best beaches in the world. From the cool to the touch quartz sand of Siesta Key to world famous beaches in cities like Fort Lauderdale, St Petersburg and Miami, there is something for everyone. You'll find our guide right here: Florida Gay and Lesbian Beach Guide